Is it worth applying Green Glue on top of floor joists before laying the subfloor?

Question

How substantial will the reduction in noise as heard from below and on the floor be when using Green Glue (www.greengluecompany.com) on top of your floor joists? If it is a good idea to put this on the joists should it be spead into a film over the entire joist or just lay down a wavy bead?

Is this even worth doing or are there better solutions for reducing impact and foot-fall noise?

Answer 1

This is to eliminate the chances of squeeks developing. I would use the bead method of application as the boards will press it out.

Answer 2

Yes, you should definitly put glue down. The glue serves several purposes;
1) helps hold the subfloor to the Jiosts
2) limits the amount of movement that occurs when the subfloor is walked on, thus reducing squeeks
3) the most important, alot of the glues that are used in that application will actually last longer than the nails. If you plan on staying in the house for a long time, yes use glue.

Answer 3

DEFINATELY put some kind of adhesive down. I would use liquid nails or similar. It will cut down on sqeaks. Using screws will help also. Good luck finding a contractor that uses screws on subfloors though. They'll talk you out of it(lazyness) You only get one chance to do it right...Alot of sqeaks are actually nails rubbing. Hardwood floors are notorious...Btw, if its strength your concerned about, you may want to use silent floor or floor trusses. If you can afford and or have large spans, spend the extra money. Probably not applical here but more or closer I-beams/load bearing walls make for a stronger floor as well. Bottom line: use glue
Cheers

Answer 4

Hi again Dan,

Green/ purple/ flesh tone/ etc. won't matter much in reducing noise.

Certainly no offense but one should hope it helps initially with issues like Squeaks, as answer 1 suggests; but sound absorbtion and deadening will not be affected positively or negatively otherwise, by using it.

Bead/ wavy or not; would work in the install and will spread some as long as the subfloor is pulled tight to the joists.

Keep in touch

Steven Wolf

Answer 5

It is worth doing. I am not familiar with "Green Glue", but typically a construction adhesive is applied in a wavy pattern. I'm not sure if it alone reduces floor noise, there are other ways to do that, for example putting down a second layer of subflooring is one method - generally not plywood.

Answer 6

It will cut down on squeeks and loose boards. Use the bead method & screw them down.